Impatiens plant named ‘Balbonipink’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Impatiens  plant named ‘Balbonipink’, characterized by its double-type, medium pink-colored flowers, dark green-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, compact-mounded growth habit, is disclosed.

Latin name of genus and species of plant claimed: Impatiens walleriana.

Variety denomination: ‘Balbonipink’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofImpatiens plant botanically known as Impatiens walleriana andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Balbonipink’.

The new cultivar originated in a controlled breeding program inBellefonte, Pa. during January 2011. The objective of the breedingprogram was the development of Impatiens cultivars with fullydouble-type, large flowers, and with a compact-mounded growth habit.

The new Impatiens cultivar is the result of cross-pollination. Thefemale (seed) parent of the new cultivar is the proprietary Impatienswalleriana breeding selection coded 1087-1, not patented, characterizedby its single type, medium violet-colored flowers, dark green-coloredfoliage, and moderately vigorous, compact growth habit. The male(pollen) parent of the new cultivar is the proprietary Impatienswalleriana breeding selection coded 1064c-1, not patented, characterizedby its double-type, medium coral-colored flowers, medium green-coloredfoliage, and vigorous, mounded growth habit. The new cultivar wasdiscovered and selected as an individual flowering plant within theprogeny of the above stated cross-pollination during September 2011 in acontrolled environment in Bellefonte, Pa.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal stem cuttings sinceSeptember 2011 in Bellefonte, Pa.; Arroyo Grande, Calif.; and WestChicago, Ill. has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true totype with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixedand retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedlyobserved and can be used to distinguish ‘Balbonipink’ as a new anddistinct cultivar of Impatiens plant:

-   -   1. Double-type, medium pink-colored flowers;    -   2. Dark green-colored foliage; and    -   3. Moderately vigorous, compact-mounded growth habit.

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the female parentprimarily in flower form and flower color. Plants of the new cultivardiffer from plants of the male parent primarily in flower color andgrowth habit. In addition, plants of the new cultivar have darkergreen-colored foliage than the male parent.

Of the many commercially available Impatiens cultivars, the most similarin comparison to the new cultivar is Fiesta Apple Blossom ‘Balfieplos’,U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,637. However, in side by side comparisons, plantsof the new cultivar differ from plants of ‘Balfieplos’ in at least thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new cultivar has a darker shade of flower color        than plants of ‘Balfieplos’;    -   2. Plants of the new cultivar have slightly larger flowers, as        measured by width and depth, than plants of ‘Balfieplos’; and    -   3. Plants of the new cultivar have larger leaves, as measured by        length and width, than plants of ‘Balfieplos’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, typicalflower and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed description, which accurately describes the colors of‘Balbonipink’. The plants were grown in 4-inch pots for 6 weeks in agreenhouse in West Chicago, Ill.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the overall growth and flowering habitof ‘Balbonipink’.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of an individual flower of‘Balbonipink’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new cultivar has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotype mayvary somewhat with variations in the environment, such as temperature,light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype.

The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is TheR.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England,2007 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significanceare used. The color values were determined in November 2014 undernatural light conditions in West Chicago, Ill.

The following descriptions and measurements describe plants producedfrom cuttings from stock plants and grown in a glass-covered greenhouseunder conditions comparable to those used in commercial practice. Theplants were grown in West Chicago, Ill. in 4-inch pots for 6 weeksutilizing a soilless growth medium. Greenhouse temperatures weremaintained at approximately 70° F. to 77° F. (21° C. to 25° C.) duringthe day and approximately 65° F. to 68° F. (18° C. to 20° C.) during thenight. Greenhouse light levels of 2,500 footcandles to 6,000 footcandleswere maintained during the day. Measurements and numerical valuesrepresent averages of typical plants.

-   Botanical classification: Impatiens walleriana cultivar Balbonipink.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary Impatiens walleriana breeding            selection coded 1087-1, not patented.        -   Male parent.—Proprietary Impatiens walleriana breeding            selection coded 1064c-1, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type cutting.—Terminal stem.        -   Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 5 to 8 days.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—Approximately 14 to 21            days.        -   Root description.—Fibrous.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching.-   Plant description:    -   -   Commercial crop time.—Approximately 5 to 7 weeks from a            rooted cutting to finish in a 10 cm pot.        -   Growth habit and general appearance.—Moderately vigorous,            compact-mounded growth habit.        -   Size.—Height from soil level to top of plant plane:            Approximately 11.0 cm. Width: Approximately 23.0 cm.        -   Branching habit.—Freely branching. Quantity of main branches            per plant: Approximately 5.        -   Branch.—Strength: Moderately strong. Length: Approximately            6.0 cm. Diameter at central internode: Approximately 4.0 mm.            Length of central internode: Approximately 1.3 cm. Texture:            Glabrous. Color of young and mature stems: 146D with streaks            of 187B; streaks wider at the node regions.-   Foliage description:    -   -   General description.—Quantity of leaves per main branch:            Approximately 7. Fragrance: None. Form: Simple. Arrangement:            Alternate.        -   Leaves.—Aspect: Acute angle to stem, becoming perpendicular            with age. Shape: Elliptic to broadly elliptic. Margin:            Crenate, ciliate. Apex: Acute. Base: Attenuate. Venation            pattern: Pinnate. Length of mature leaf at center of stem:            Approximately 6.5 cm. Width of mature leaf at center of            stem: Approximately 4.5 cm. Texture of upper surface:            Sparsely pubescent. Texture of lower surface: Glabrous.            Color of upper surface of young and mature foliage: Closest            to 139A with venation of 137B. Color of lower surface of            young and mature foliage: Closest to 138B. Color of upper            surface of mature foliage: Closest to 137A mixed with 139A,            venation of 137B.        -   Petiole.—Length: Approximately 3.0 cm. Diameter:            Approximately 3.0 mm. Texture: Glabrous. Color: 147D with            faint streaks of 187B.-   Flowering description:    -   -   Flowering habit.—‘Balbonipink’ is freely flowering under            outdoor growing conditions with substantially continuous            blooming from spring through autumn and year-round in            greenhouse environment.        -   Lastingness of individual flower on the plant.—Approximately            6 to 7 days.-   Flower description:    -   -   General description.—Type: Double. Quantity per plant:            Approximately 4. Fragrance: None.        -   Bud.—Rate of opening: Generally takes 2 to 3 days for bud to            progress from first color to fully open flower. Quantity            showing color per plant: Approximately 5.        -   Bud just before opening.—Shape: Ovoid. Length: Approximately            1.2 cm. Diameter: Approximately 1.0 cm. Color: N155D.        -   Corolla.—Shape: Hemispherical. Width: Approximately 5.0 cm.            Depth: Approximately 3.0 cm. Borne: Above and below the            foliage.        -   Petals.—Quantity: 47. Shape: Obovate; innermost ovate.            Aspect: Flat. Appearance: Dull. Margin: Entire. Apex:            Obtuse. Base: Attenuate. Length of outermost petals:            Approximately 2.3 cm. Width of outermost petals:            Approximately 2.1 cm. Length of innermost petals:            Approximately 2.0 mm. Width of innermost petals:            Approximately 2.0 mm. Texture of upper and lower surfaces:            Glabrous. Color of upper surface when first and fully open:            NN155D with an overlay of N74C giving an overall pink            appearance. Color of lower surface when first and fully            open: NN155D with a very faint overlay of N74D giving an            overall light pink appearance.        -   Spur.—Quantity: 1 per flower. Length: Approximately 3.0 cm.            Diameter at proximal end: Approximately 2.0 mm. Diameter at            distal end: Less than 1.0 mm. Texture: Glabrous. Color: 145C            with 145A at tip.        -   Peduncle.—Strength: Moderate. Aspect: Acute angle to stem.            Length: Approximately 3.0 cm. Diameter: Approximately            2.0 mm. Texture: Glabrous. Color: 146D.        -   Sepals.—Quantity per flower: 4, with one fused to base of            upper petal, lower sepal typically not observed on            fully-opened flower. Shape of lateral sepals: Lanceolate.            Shape of lower sepal: Ovate. Apex of all sepals: Acute.            Length of lateral sepals: Approximately 3.0 mm. Width of            lateral sepals: Approximately 1.0 mm. Length of lower sepal:            Approximately 9.0 mm. Width of lower sepal: Approximately            8.0 mm. Texture of upper and lower surfaces of all sepals:            Glabrous, lower sepal papery. Color of upper and lower            surfaces of lateral sepals: 144A. Color of upper and lower            surfaces of lower sepal: Colorless.        -   Reproductive organs.—None observed.-   Seed and fruit production: Neither seed nor fruit production has    been observed.-   Disease and pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests    common to Impatiens has not been observed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plantnamed ‘Balbonipink’, substantially as herein illustrated and described.